Rodgers believes it's time for Favre to be welcomed back

PAUL IMIG

FS Wisconsin

Aaron Rodgers is ready to see
Brett Favre be a member of the
Green Bay Packers again. Well, at least in the capacity of a retired player who's being remembered for the 16 seasons spent as the quarterback of the franchise.

One week after Packers president and CEO Mark Murphy told FOXSportsWisconsin.com that he wants Favre "back in the family," Rodgers had a similar message when on the Jim Rome radio show.

"I look forward to him being back in the fold, as Mark Murphy has said," Rodgers told Rome. "I think it's time for our fans, this organization and Brett to heal through this and to move forward together before he gets the greatest honor of being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame."

Favre is undoubtedly a first-ballot Hall of Famer and will be eligible in 2016. That means the Packers and Favre have three years to reconcile their past differences.

"I'm excited about it," Rodgers told Rome. "It's been too long. You know, our country and the state of Wisconsin, these people are a people of second and third and fourth chances. I think it's time to let the healing process begin for those who are still upset about what went down."

Rodgers and Favre were surprise co-presenters at the NFL Honors show in February, appearing publicly together for the first time since the Packers traded Favre to the New York Jets in 2008 after a messy attempt by the three-time MVP to come back after retiring.

Murphy described that as "great first step" in getting Favre and the team on the same page. And Rodgers was happy to do it.

"I was totally OK with being out front of that," Rodgers said to Rome. "I'm very secure of the things I've been able to accomplish with the team and individually here in Green Bay, and excited about the chance to see him again and get his number retired here before he goes into Canton."

Murphy previously added that retiring Favre's jersey at Lambeau Field "will happen" soon. How the majority of Packers fans respond to Favre when that moment comes remains a question mark, however, especially after he played his final two NFL seasons with the division-rival
Minnesota Vikings.

If Rodgers is right about the people of Wisconsin being open to second chances, Favre and Packers fans can fondly remember the Super Bowl victory and the 13 winning seasons rather than the unceremonious way things ended in 2008.